University of Tennessee

SCN is important in Tennessee because:

  • SCN can cause greater annual yield reductions to soybeans grown in Tennessee than any other pest or disease.
  • SCN has become more difficult to manage in Tennessee due to the major source of resistance in soybean varieties (PI 88788 source of resistance) being less effective than it once was.
  • Observable symptoms caused by SCN are rarely seen, except when it comes to soybean yield.
  • SCN may interact with other soybean diseases, which can cause additional stress on soybean plants and reduce overall yield.
  • Additional information on SCN sampling and submissions in Tennessee.

SCN Management Recommendations

There are multiple tactics for managing SCN:

  • Collect soil samples in the Fall of the year near harvest time and submit to a laboratory to know what number of SCN eggs are in your fields
  • Rotate soybean with non-host crops, such as corn, to help reduce SCN populations in your fields
  • Grow SCN-resistant varieties.  Switch soybean varieties every year that soybean is grown in a particular field. If available, use varieties that contain different sources of resistance to SCN every year that soybean is grown in a particular field (i.e. PI 88788, Peking, etc.).
  • In combination with SCN-resistant varieties, consider using a nematode-protectant seed treatment.

Soil testing tips:

  • When:  Anytime from mid-September through early May; however, fall is generally considered to be the best time.
  • How often: Once every 4 to 5 years
  • Where should soil test samples be sent?
    • Soil, Plant & Pest Center
      5201 Marchant Dr.
      Nashville, TN 37211

Rotate resistant varieties:

  • Switch SCN resistant varieties every year that soybean is grown in a particular field.
  • SCN is able to adapt to specific resistant varieties over time.

Rotate sources of resistance:

  • SCN is able to adapt to different sources of resistance used in SCN-resistant varieties.
  • The most commonly used source of resistance comes from PI 88788.
  • If available, use varieties that utilize a different source of SCN resistance every year that soybean is grown in a particular field.

Rotate to non-host crops:

  • Rotating to non-host crops, such as corn, will help reduce SCN populations in a field over time.

Nematode-protectant seed treatments:

  • Consider using in combination with SCN-resistant varieties

University of Tennessee Experts

Heather Kelly

Heather Kelly

Plant Pathologist

University of Tennessee

youngkelly@utk.edu

731-425-4713

Other SCN Management Resources